15 Things about Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is one of the wonders of the world that cannot be described by mere words. Iguazu falls are known in all parts of the world as they are famously known to be majestic in nature as well as other unique characteristics. With rest to this proven fact, let’s look at a few aspects about these beautiful yet captivating Iguazu Falls.

1. Location

Iguazu falls are located in South America along the border of two countries, Brazil and Argentina. The Iguazu falls are strategically placed to serve as a natural boundary between the two nations. In Brazil, Iguazu is found in the state of Parana and the province of Misiones in Argentina.

2. Source of Iguazu Falls

The Iguazu falls are formed by two rivers, the Parana River and the Iguazu River. The two rivers confluence flows into on one big river forming the Iguazu falls about fifteen miles before the falls. The two rivers get their water from the Amazonian forests in Brazil. The large volumes of rainfall in the Amazonian region ensure the life span of the Iguazu falls is maintained.

3. The Region Around Iguazu Falls

The Iguazu Falls are very wide, and this is due to the surface on which they form. The Iguazu falls are found to flow along the Parana Plateau. The Parana Plateau is the main reason for the vast size of the waterfalls. The water from the source to Iguazu falls spreads over large areas, and the edge of the plateau falls over forming the largest waterfalls on the earth.

4. The Size of Iguazu Falls

The natural wonder of the Iguazu Falls has a large number of waterfalls, but the precise number is nit know due to the fluctuations in the volumes of water flowing from the source. The waterfalls are approximately two hundred and fifty. The width span of the Iguazu falls is around three kilometers like no other in the world.

5. The Devil’s Throat

The largest waterfall of the Iguazu Falls is known as the Devil’s throat. It rises to a staggering majestic height of about eighty meters. It is a very spectacular scene that many visitors to the Iguazu Falls is a must visit. The water from the Devils throat forms mist as it falls. It is an exciting scene as the devil’s throat is in action.

6. Climatic Conditions around Iguazu Falls

The general atmosphere around the Iguazu Falls is entirely predictable from the presence of the large water body. The area along the falls general receive rainfall almost throughout the year with few seasons of drought. Temperature is high in areas around the falls due to the high humidity in the region. In the case of a few cases of drought, it rarely lasts past a week.

7. Division of the Iguazu Falls

The Iguazu falls cover areas in both Brazil and Argentina and is in the form of a letter J. Both areas in Brazil and Argentina from the whole of Iguazu Falls with Argentina having the significant share of the waterfall. Both of these regions are destined tourist destinations and are tasked with the responsibility of taking care of the natural resource. The two areas are the main divisions of the Iguazu waterfalls though the areas don’t share the falls equally.

8. The Brazilian Side

The Brazilian side boasts of a third of the Iguazu waterfalls. The Brazilian side is most preferred by visitors due to the devil’s throat being on this side. The charges on the Brazilian side are relatively cheaper compared to the Argentinian side. It takes a person to view the Brazilian side at least two hours on a sunny day, and you are likely to get soaked in the process.

9. The Argentinian Side

The Argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls is two-thirds of the whole falls system. It is quite larger than that of the Brazilian side though not mostly visited. The Argentinian side though is endowed with a large species of birds and plants. The rainforest is a good hiking place in the Iguazu National Park on the Argentinian side. The tour guides on this side are highly trained and know the falls well. The devil’s throat can be accessed from the Argentinian side though it is a very long tedious walk.

10. The Iguazu National Park

The Iguazu National Park is the home of the Iguazu waterfalls. It does not divide the water falls system into two but gives its existence as one unit. When visiting the Iguazu waterfalls, paperwork is done via the national park.it mainly concludes a whole region covered by rain forest with vast flora and fauna. Revenue from the activities of the Iguazu National Park is shared with both the Brazilian side and Argentinian side respectively.

11. Access to the Brazilian Side

The Brazilian side of the Iguazu Waterfalls is obtained by several means of transport. The city of Foz do Iguazu, close to the waterfalls, is accessible by air. Several flights by tourists are often shared in the Foz do Iguazu International Airport. The airport is close by the Iguazu National Park. On arrival at the airport bus and taxi services are used to access the Iguazu waterfalls. The airport and many of the bus and taxi services have staff who speak English to communicate with the visitors easily.

12. Access to the Argentinian Side

The Argentinian side of the Iguazu waterfalls is also accessible by air. The magnificent Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport is ideally located in the town of Puerto Iguazu and just like in Brazil it is close to the Iguazu waterfalls. Bus and taxi services are available to take visitors into the Iguazu national park in Argentina. Tour operator in Argentina also takes tourists to the park. The prices in Argentina are slightly higher than those in Brazil.

13. Aerial view of Iguazu Waterfalls

The Brazilian side of the Iguazu waterfalls offers several helicopter rides over the waterfalls. Contrary to this, the Argentinian side banned the helicopter rides with the reason being t the helicopter rides led to environmental degradation. Despite the disapproval of helicopter rides on the Argentinian side, both sides of the Iguazu waterfalls offered a boat ride to the canyon in the region. The view is spectacular as the horizon is seen to be covered by water.

14. Tourists

The Iguazu waterfalls attract tourists from the whole world as it is classified as one of the select eleven wonders of this earth. Dignitaries, as well as locals from Argentina and Brazil, visit the falls to marvel at the wonders of nature. The Iguazu waterfalls are a heritage for the parties involved and a good source of revenue too. In total over a million tourist are received in Iguazu Waterfalls.

15. Social Amenities

The most common thing about the two sides of the Iguazu waterfalls in Brazil and Argentina is the social amenities. Several hotels on both sides offer foods as well as accommodation. The Sheraton hotel in Argentina offers accommodation as well as food services while the Cataratas in Brazil also offers the same. Even though both hotels are pricey, their value is worth the quality services provided.